From the scorching deserts of the Southwest to the humid lowlands of the Southeast, extreme heat has left its mark on every U.S. state. While some locations are infamous for triple-digit temperatures, others — even in northern latitudes — have recorded surprising spikes during rare heatwaves.
These records tell a story of geography, climate patterns, and the growing importance of heat preparedness. Here’s a look at the hottest temperature ever recorded in each U.S. state, along with the location and year it happened.
1. Alabama
112°F — Centreville, September 5, 1925
2. Alaska
100°F — Fort Yukon, June 27, 1915
3. Arizona
128°F — Lake Havasu City, June 29, 1994
4. Arkansas
120°F — Ozark, August 10, 1936
5. California
134°F — Furnace Creek Ranch (Death Valley), July 10, 1913 (World record for highest temperature)
6. Colorado
115°F — Las Animas, July 20, 2019
7. Connecticut
106°F — Danbury, July 15, 1995
8. Delaware
110°F — Millsboro, July 21, 1930
9. Florida
109°F — Monticello, June 29, 1931
10. Georgia
112°F — Louisville, August 20, 1983
11. Hawaii
100°F — Pahala, April 27, 1931
12. Idaho
118°F — Orofino, July 28, 1934
13. Illinois
117°F — East St. Louis, July 14, 1954
14. Indiana
116°F — Collegeville, July 14, 1936
15. Iowa
118°F — Keokuk, July 20, 1934
16. Kansas
121°F — Fredonia, July 18, 1936, and Alton, July 24, 1936
17. Kentucky
114°F — Greensburg, July 28, 1930
18. Louisiana
114°F — Plain Dealing, August 10, 1936
19. Maine
105°F — North Bridgton, July 10, 1911
20. Maryland
109°F — Cumberland & Frederick, July 3, 1898
21. Massachusetts
107°F — New Bedford, August 2, 1975
22. Michigan
112°F — Mio & Bellaire, July 13, 1936
23. Minnesota
115°F — Beardsley, July 29, 1917
24. Mississippi
115°F — Holly Springs, July 29, 1930
25. Missouri
118°F — Warsaw & Union, July 14, 1954
26. Montana
117°F — Glendive & Medicine Lake, July 20, 1893, and July 5, 1937
27. Nebraska
118°F — Minden, July 24, 1936
28. Nevada
125°F — Laughlin, June 29, 1994
29. New Hampshire
106°F — Nashua, July 4, 1911
30. New Jersey
110°F — Runyon, July 10, 1936
31. New Mexico
122°F — Lakewood, June 27, 1994
32. New York
108°F — Troy, July 22, 1926
33. North Carolina
110°F — Fayetteville, August 21, 1983
34. North Dakota
121°F — Steele, July 6, 1936
35. Ohio
113°F — Gallipolis, July 21, 1934
36. Oklahoma
120°F — Tipton, June 27, 1994
37. Oregon
119°F — Pelton Dam, June 29, 2021
38. Pennsylvania
111°F — Phoenixville, July 9 & 10, 1936
39. Rhode Island
104°F — Providence, August 2, 1975
40. South Carolina
113°F — Johnston, June 29, 2012
41. South Dakota
120°F — Usta, July 15, 2006
42. Tennessee
113°F — Perryville, August 9, 1930
43. Texas
120°F — Monahans, June 28, 1994
44. Utah
117°F — St. George, July 5, 1985; July 4, 2007; and June 18, 2021
45. Vermont
105°F — Vernon, July 4, 1911
46. Virginia
110°F — Balcony Falls, July 15, 1954
47. Washington
120°F — Hanford, June 29, 2021
48. West Virginia
112°F — Martinsburg, July 10, 1936
49. Wisconsin
114°F — Wisconsin Dells, July 13, 1936
50. Wyoming
115°F — Basin, August 8, 1983
Patterns and Climate Context
The Southwest dominates the extreme heat leaderboard. California’s Death Valley not only holds the U.S. record but also the world record at a blistering 134°F. Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico also reach the upper range, often above 120°F.
The 1930s heatwave stands out as a historical extreme. Many Midwestern and Southern states set their all-time records during the Dust Bowl years, a combination of severe drought, poor land management, and unusually high summer temperatures.
Recent records show climate change’s fingerprint. Several states — including Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and South Dakota — have tied or broken heat records in the past two decades, often during intense, long-lasting heatwaves linked to changing climate patterns.
Northern surprises: States like Alaska, Vermont, and Maine rarely experience extreme heat, yet their records exceed 100°F, usually during rare high-pressure systems that trap heat for days.
Heat Safety in a Warming World
With extreme temperatures becoming more frequent and severe, understanding these records is more than trivia — it’s a reminder of the need for preparedness. Heatwaves kill more people in the U.S. annually than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined.
Tips for staying safe during extreme heat:
- Stay hydrated: Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty.
- Limit midday activity: The hottest part of the day is typically between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Seek shade or air conditioning: Cooling centers can be lifesaving during prolonged heatwaves.
- Check on vulnerable populations: Elderly individuals, young children, and those with preexisting conditions are at higher risk.
Every state has its own story of extreme heat — whether it’s Death Valley’s unchallenged world record or Vermont’s century-old 105°F spike. These numbers reflect more than just meteorological oddities; they are reminders of the diverse and sometimes unpredictable nature of American climate.
As the planet warms, new records will almost certainly be set. Understanding the past can help communities prepare for the future — because when it comes to extreme heat, knowledge is more than power; it’s protection.
